Andrew Asquith has the best bets for Saturday's cards after Matt Brocklebank has 9/2 and 100/30 winners on Friday.
Saturday selections
URBAN GLIMPSE – 4.25 York (NAP)
This looks a good handicap, one which is sure to throw up future winners, but the Andrew Balding-trained URBAN GLIMPSE is expected to prove himself ahead of his mark.
He disappointed in a Group 2 at Milan on his final start last season, but that came just nine days after he opened his at Kempton, and heavy ground probably didn’t suit him, either.
Urban Glimpse confirmed himself a horse to follow this season when runner-up to another improver on his return and handicap debut at Sandown last month, looking the likeliest winner when looming up two furlongs out – he traded at 1.2 in running on Betfair – but may have been in need of the run given how weak he was in the betting prior.
That run should have put an edge on him and, raised just 2lb, and with that form working out, he’s strongly fancied to go one place better now, with even better expected at this sort of trip.
BOBBY BENNU – 2.10 Chester
BOBBY BENNU was a three-time winner last season, including an emphatic win over slightly further at this course, where he stretched nine lengths clear of his rivals to open his .
His latest win came on the all-weather from a mark of 94 in November, and he shaped well when last seen at Wolverhampton in January, beaten under two lengths by one who has won in Listed company since.
Bobby Bennu wasn’t well positioned on that occasion, either, doing well to finish as close as he did, and he remains one to be positive about back on turf from this sort of mark. His draw in stall 8 is workable and a bold bid is expected.
ARABIAN LEOPARD – 4.08 Haydock
ARABIAN LEOPARD shaped better than the bare result on her handicap debut at Yarmouth two starts back, and she confirmed herself a progressive filly when opening her at Newmarket a fortnight ago.
She wasn’t best away from the stalls, and didn’t do everything right in the race, but it was hard not to be impressed by how she came through with a powerful run to easily put the race to bed in the final furlong.
Racing round a bend could suit her run style better and, following a 6lb rise, she looks the one to beat again, especially now taking on her elders in receipt of a valuable weight-for-age allowance.
GOLDEN PHASE – 5.40 Lingfield
GOLDEN PHASE won back-to-back handicaps over a mile and a quarter at Bath around this time last year, and she proved better than ever when runner-up on her return to action at Salisbury earlier this month.
That race was won by one who was allowed to make all of the running, while Golden Phase was ridden in totally different fashion, asked to make up plenty of ground and doing so in eye-catching fashion out wide.
Her earlier exertions probably told in the closing stages and she was unable to get on with the winner in the closing stages, but she was only beaten a head and pulled well clear of the remainder. Golden Phase is just 2lb higher now and in a weaker race, while she also won second time up last season.
AL RUFAA – 6.55 Southwell
AL RUFAA isn’t the easiest to win with, but he is a classy operator on his day, and he should appreciate this return to an artificial surface.
He was far too keen on his reappearance at Newmarket earlier this month, refusing to settle and beaten from three furlongs out, but that was a much stronger race than this, and the handicapper has dropped him 3lb since.
That allows him to contest this race and, with a strong pace forecast, he could stamp his class on these rivals, while he has ran well on both visits to this track.
NICKELFORCE – 8.30 Stratford
NICKELFORCE made a winning start over fences at this track in September last year and proved himself a much better chaser when following up at Ludlow.
He shaped like he’s still a well-handicapped horse on his return at this course a fortnight ago, too, making good headway on the bridle down the backstraight, but having no answer for an impressive chase debutant from the home turn.
Nickelforce is entitled to come on for that run fitness wise and, in a pretty uninspiring race, he should be able to get himself back in the winners’ enclosure.
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2025 winners
- Kurakka 9/2
- Albegone 10/3
- Almaqam 7/4
- Iconnic 16/1
- Ilikedwayurthinkin 7/4
- Feach Amach 5/2
- Doc McCoy 4/6
- D Day Arvalenreeva 6/4
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- Le Beau Garcon 11/2 (NAP)
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- Sir Galahad 1/3
- Jane Temple 6/4
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- Music Drive Evs
- Triple Double A 1/2
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- Jackpot Cash evens
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- Our Havana 6/1
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